Ben White sends two-word Arsenal message after what was seen vs Wigan Athletic
Ben White has confirmed that he did not suffer an injury despite being forced off in the second half of Arsenal’s win over Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
The Gunners are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup after seeing off the visitors 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
It promised to be an extremely long day for manager-less Wigan, when goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal from Jack Hunt had them 4-0 down inside 30 minutes.
But the relegation-threatened League One side did extremely well to stop the Premier League leaders in the second half and keep the score line respectable.
Arsenal remain in all four competitions this season and have returned to winning ways ahead of a key run of Premier League fixtures.
Ben White dispels injury worries
Sunday’s clash got off to the worst possible start when Arsenal lost Riccardo Calafiori in the warm up.
The Italian has only recently returned from an injury also suffered in the moments before the Gunners’ win over Brighton in December.
The 23-year-old has been in impressive form this season, and looked to have shaken off his injury issues from last season.
But in recent weeks, the problems have re-emerged, and perhaps at the worst time of the campaign.
Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Calafiori is a doubt for Wednesday’s trip to Wolves, along with White.
The right-back had appeared to grab at his thigh and required treatment before he was substituted in the second half of Sunday’s game.
White has already suffered from a hamstring injury this season, and there were worries that the issue had flared up again.
But the defender sat on the bench after coming off, and confirmed in a post made to his Instagram story after the game that he was not injured.
“Next round, no injuries”, White posted on Sunday night.
White’s fitness will be crucial
Jurrien Timber was given a rare rest on Sunday, with youngster Marli Salmon coming on when White was forced off.
The Netherlands international has been ever-present again for Arsenal this season, but has struggled slightly more than usual recently.
| Ben White | vs Wigan Athletic |
| Minutes played | 79 |
| Accurate passes | 57/61 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Clearances | 3 |
| Recoveries | 3 |
The right-back is often asked to roam forward, but this is a job far more suited to White’s attributes.
With the run-in approaching, and each and every game set to be crucial, it will be imperative that Arsenal keep both Timber and White available, with different games calling for different presences on the right.